Things Your Non-Homesteading Friends May NOT Understand

The life of a homesteader can be so satisfying.

The gardening, the chickens, the joy of homemade food…it’s all there. However, a non homesteader friend or family member may look at you in wonder as they live their lives quite differently from you. Here are some things your non-homesteading friends may not understand.

Vacations are few and far between.

And you usually don’t stay more than 2 days, nor do you go very far. With goats to be milked, chickens to be fed, duck pools to be rinsed and filled, rabbit water bottles to fill, eggs to collect, that’s a lot of responsibility to ask of another person. Of course, that’s also when our chickens escape, or the goats figure out how to open their pen and asking a neighbor to be responsible for putting them back isn’t always easy. It takes a special person to fill in for you, and since they are hard to find, vacations don’t always come.

Fresh eggs taste better than store bought.

Call it science, call it opinion, call it what you want. If you have never had the pleasure of getting your own eggs from your backyard, then you are missing out. The yolks are usually a darker orange, and they just taste better.

Chickens are people, too.

Truly. If you own chickens, most likely, they are your pets. And, more often than not, you become attached to the feathery creatures to the point of naming them, petting them, talking to them, and grieving them when they die. To me, a chicken is just like a dog. Only noisier. And more cranky. But, I love my girls, each and every one.

Store bought tomatoes aren’t worth it to you.

And I think that nearly everyone can agree that there is nothing like a fresh, homegrown tomato that you pick right off the vine. And, once you get used to that burst of flavor, the bland, mealy ones at the store just don’t cut it for you. So, you will do without rather than use them.

You can’t imagine NOT having a pantry with home-canned goods.

No matter how bad the gardening season was for you and your location, you usually manage to save something from your garden. Often, you have more than just one seasons worth of food stored up, too. (see tomatoes) You also have a myriad of jars filled with dehydrated fruits and vegetables just waiting for soups, granola and other delicious uses.

A gift of a pressure canner, jars, or a stand mixer are more exciting to you than jewelry.

You love pretty things, but would rather make them than just wear them. You see far more possibilities in jars than you do shiny baubles. At least most of the time. A stand mixer just says “I love you and your homemade bread”

Usually rubber type boots, you have worn that footwear to and from the chicken barn IN your jammies, you can rinse them off and store them in the mud room. Those boots are the first thing you grab in the morning, often before your cup of coffee. They are your most comfortable footwear simply because you wear them the most often. They go on and off with ease, and there is no worries about tying them, or tripping on heels. Having them covered in mud or muck is normal as well, as you are outside in the barn a lot.

Speaking of closets, yours probably has more flannel and plaid than your non homesteading friends.

The flannel comes in handy for layering in the winter and is great to wear on a chilly fall day around the house or in front of a roaring fire. Why plaid? That’s actually a mystery to me, but you know that you have at least one plaid shirt in that closet, right?

The simple things in life bring the most joy to you.

The birth of a goat, the hatching of an egg into a chick, that pullet laying her first egg, watching the ducks splash around in their pool, it’s all a joy to you. As a matter of fact, you could spend hours (and probably have) just watching your animals and all their little antics. It’s better than any TV show or Netflix movie.

What things would you add to this list? BE SURE TO PIN THIS TO YOUR FAVORITE BOARD FOR LATER

I second the not getting grossed out. Lol. And the thrill you get from using whatever you have around- be it foraged food, squirrel your hubby shot, etc. (People are always telling me they have to watch what they eat at my house. Lol.)

You’re LIVING LIFE as it is meant to be LIVED. Your Lifestyle Reveres the Earth and other Living Things. You’re CONNECTED to it and can’t imagine LIFE any other way. You do enjoy having “Company” o`er to enjoy a cup of fresh brewed coffee or tea, fresh baked goodies and the local news or gossip – but – if they stay longer than a hour, they’ve overstayed their welcome as there’s chores to do. Everyday is the same, except maybe Sunday – when you go to the local country Church. GOD is central to your Life and you give HIM thanks each and everyday for the Rich Blessings and the LIFE you LIVE.

In my life homesteading and prepping are one and the same and teaching my children to can and now getting them to start again as adults has been fun. I am a nurse too ,and try to share with my patients the need to start preparing their own food and life to be more self sufficient. Unfortunately some of my work friends think 99 cent store eggs are the same as my organic eggs! they think I’m crazy when they are so cheap at the store! JR

I’m a city girl who married a small town guy (750 ppl in his town). I don’t quite fit the profile, but I’m learning! Thankful every day for his grandma who taught me how to can and preserve foods- we’re never without a whole pantry of home canned beans, tomatoes, carrots, jalapenos, pickles, applesauce, jams & jellies! I can’t grow anything to save my life, but my mom and sister grow it for all of us, and I can it for all of us- very symbiotic!

One of the dearest pets I ever had was my disabled transgender chicken. (That’s not a joke–I’ve talked with others whose chickens have also gone through natural sex changes.)
I’m not sure what made her–then his–legs become crippled up, or why my cute little hen grew a huge crown and spurs, but he was still really active on warm days. I have heard that chickens have sex changes because of stomach cancer, but he lived a long time and ate heartily long after he “came out”–started crowing. And I fed him the healthiest I knew how.
I used to sing him Lady Gaga’s “Hatched This Way.” Antonio died in December, and I miss him every day.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Looking For Something?

Hey Y’all, C’mon In!

Hi I'm Heather. I love the simple things in life like family, gardening and food preserving, and I think watching chickens is far more entertaining than TV any day. Join me and my family as we get our "urbansteading" on and live life on the rural side!

Connect With Me!

The Homesteading Hippy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This does not increase the price for you in any way, but helps keep this website running! :-)
The information provided on The Homesteading Hippy is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.